The Starlight Research Institute was an organization that studied and collected information on the habits and weaknesses of monsters subdued within the Gate, providing valuable data to aid hunters in their hunts.
They also made some money on the side by exhibiting less violent creatures.
However, everything changed after Hana appeared. From an institute barely surviving on funds from the headquarters, it had now become self-sufficient, even thriving on its own earnings. No, it wasn’t just self-sufficient—it was at a level where it could operate independently.
Frankly, even if compared to the Starlight Guild, the research institute would undoubtedly rank first in terms of self-reliance. Once struggling to maintain annual sales of a few billion, it now boasted monthly revenues in the trillions. And this revenue was almost pure profit, with costs close to zero.
Most people think that after deducting costs, employee salaries, and other expenses, more than half of the revenue disappears. But the Starlight Research Institute was different now. It was experiencing its golden age for the first time since its founding.
As a result, the employees’ hunched backs straightened, and their shoulders, which used to bow in deference to other companies in the same group, now stood at a confident right angle. It was undeniable—people needed to make good money. When money flowed in, there was no reason to feel inferior in front of others.
The Starlight Research Institute dedicated an entire floor of the building to Hana and assigned a team of employees to focus on her care. It was only natural. Hana was a precious gem they wouldn’t trade for anything, even for a fortune.
Among them, Bora and Haru, who had spent a long time with Hana and developed a close bond, were naturally included in the office staff. Hana also liked the two of them.
Bora and Haru enjoyed taking care of Hana. It was a mutually beneficial relationship. They identified things that made Hana uncomfortable and reported them to the higher-ups. Of course, they had other tasks, but their most important job was to remove any obstacles that might inconvenience Hana.
They also worked to help Hana develop social skills and learn about the world, preparing her for eventual independence. Of course, Hana already knew a lot, but since they couldn’t read her mind, they sometimes wondered how she picked up things so quickly.
[She mentioned not liking the cafeteria.]
[If the convenience store had a wider variety of items…]
Whenever Hana submitted a complaint, feedback came immediately. The cafeteria was expanded, and more nutritionists and kitchen staff were hired. The convenience store signed contracts with more suppliers to stock a wider range of products.
As a result, employee morale skyrocketed. The cafeteria, which used to serve bland, grass-like meals, now had a diverse and delicious menu that could rival that of a major corporation.
Employees who had once considered quitting now felt the institute’s improving conditions firsthand. The initial feeling of “Is this really a major corporation?” had turned into “Maybe it really is a major corporation after all…”
The growing balance in their bank accounts only reinforced this thought. The institute, once notorious for stingy bonuses and incentives, had significantly increased performance-based pay and bonuses. It was a massive change.
Hana’s discomforts were numerous, but as they were addressed, the company began to feel as comfortable as home.
However, some employees couldn’t help but wonder, “What if Hana suddenly disappears?” If Hana, who accounted for 99% of the institute’s revenue, were to vanish, the institute would revert to its former state.
No, with the investments already made in infrastructure, maintenance costs would be even higher than before. The higher-ups’ response to this concern was a meme circulating online: a famous photo of a clown with the caption, “Just die, then~”
Of course, they weren’t completely unprepared. Over half of the net profit was kept as internal reserves, with investments made in stocks, bonds, insurance, and more. The finance department’s groans echoed throughout the institute, but they were deliberately ignored.
Only the finance department was being ground like a millstone. Other departments, now flush with funds, saw significant improvements in their conditions.
*Whirrrrr~*
In the lounge area, Bora and Haru were relaxing in massage chairs. The latest models provided an exceptional massage experience. The floor where Hana resided was like the frontline of an army.
The latest equipment and relaxation items were supplied there first. Hana seemed to enjoy it, often visiting to chat with employees and get a massage. Since Hana was small, there was even a custom massage chair just for her. So, Hana could relax anytime.
I could get a massage without waiting, thanks to the free pass.
The quality of work had improved so much compared to before, and both of them were very satisfied. Although Hana was a bit of a troublemaker, it was understandable since she was just a child. Didn’t everyone cause trouble when they were young? Bora and Haru also had their share of childhood mischief, as the adults often said.
Though, it was so long ago that they couldn’t really remember it themselves.
“Isn’t Hana just adorable?”
“Right? That’s why I set her photo as my phone wallpaper.”
If you looked at the phones of people who often met Hana, most of them probably had her photo as their wallpaper. There was something oddly captivating about Hana, like a subtle pheromone that triggered maternal instincts.
After taking a short break before lunch, just as they were about to get up and go to Hana, she came running down the hallway from afar. In one hand, she was holding some kind of flyer.
“Bora! Haru!”
Hana was running towards them, grinning from ear to ear, clearly excited about something. She was running so wildly that it was almost worrying she might trip. Thankfully, the floor was covered with soft carpet, so even if she fell, she wouldn’t get hurt too badly.
Bora quickly got up from the massage chair and ran to catch Hana, who was dashing towards her. Hana, now snug in Bora’s arms, showed her the flyer and said,
“I want to eat this!”
Bora looked at the flyer Hana was holding. It was a mouth-watering menu from a Chinese restaurant. Lately, Hana seemed to have developed a hobby of collecting flyers from various food places, though no one knew where she got them. Of course, Bora was also craving Jajangmyeon today, so she nodded and said,
“Alright. Let’s eat what Hana wants today!”
Bora glanced at Haru, who also nodded in agreement.
The order was simple: three Jajangmyeon and one Sweet and Sour Pork, a common delivery combo. Of course, there was a cafeteria in the company, and it was known for serving food so delicious it was hard to find elsewhere in the country. So, ordering Jajangmyeon might seem strange, but they didn’t forget to inform the cafeteria beforehand.
The gist of the message was that Hana wanted Jajangmyeon for lunch… Most reports were handled after taking action first. These small details could just be added to the daily report. Of course, if Hana got hurt or something major happened, like her hair getting messed up, they’d have to contact the higher-ups immediately.
Bora took out her phone to find a good Chinese restaurant nearby, while Haru carried Hana into the room.
Haru set up a foldable table in the room for the Jajangmyeon. Bora, having completed the order, also came into the room. As they chatted, the delivery guy arrived with three bowls of Jajangmyeon and one Sweet and Sour Pork.
He even brought some Fried Dumplings as a free service. Bora thought to herself, “What a great place!” In these tough times, it was rare to get free Fried Dumplings even when ordering a lot of food.
Once everything was set up, they were ready to dig in. But Bora and Haru were shocked by what Hana did next.
Hana, with practiced ease, unwrapped the Sweet and Sour Sauce container and poured it mercilessly over the Sweet and Sour Pork. Her technique was so refined, it was as if she had been eating Chinese food for at least 20 years.
“Ha… Hana!”
Haru tried to stop her, but it was too late. For Bora and Haru, who preferred dipping, it was a brutal act.
Hana looked at them with a confused expression, as if asking, “Isn’t this how you’re supposed to eat it?”
“So Hana likes to pour the sauce…”
“We need to find whoever taught her this terrible method.”
Of course, Hana had always eaten Sweet and Sour Pork this way.
